Essex County, New Jersey Jury Awards $15 Million in Discrimination Lawsuit Against School District

A jury in Newark, NJ recently handed down a $15 million verdict in a workplace discrimination lawsuit filed by a former employee of the Newark Public School District. The former school worker alleged a course of discriminatory conduct by the district after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and later sustained a back injury that caused physical limitations. Claims were brought under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. After an eight week trial, the jury found found for the school worker and awarded compensation for lost future pay, back pay, lost pension benefits, pain and suffering and aggravation of a pre-existing injury. In addition, the jury award $3 million in punitive damages.